KANGAR: The Malaysian Government will continue to work with Indonesia to defend palm oil which is under sabotage by lobbyists in Europe, said International Trade and Industry (MITI) minister, Datuk Darell Leiking.
He said the cooperation began with both parties issuing statements and taking joint action to handle the ban by the European community.
“Only France is blocking the use of palm oil, even then, not completely, while the Netherlands is one of the biggest importers of the European nations.
“We will not be fighting back the countries which are blocking the export of palm oil or portray it negatively,” said Darell in a press conference held after a meeting with agencies under MITI at the State Legislative Assembly Complex here yesterday.
Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man who also attended the meeting was also present at the press conference.
Darell said the issues of the Orang Utan and logging used by lobbyists against palm oil had already been effectively tackled by the government, but the European community was still confused.
“We are aware that any ban on palm oil will have a negative effect and that is why we have to work with Indonesia. Any reaction by Indonesia will have an effect on the countries boycotting palm oil,” he said, adding that oil palms were very useful.
He also said that Malaysia would only stress on the good aspects of palm oil and will not speak negatively of the products of other nations.
He added that India and the African countries were potentially buyers of Malaysian palm oil. – Bernama